Day 8: Escaping the sins of “Pornea” by Focusing on Jesus

 

Day 8: Escaping the sins of  “Pornea” by Focusing on Jesus

Pornea is a deadly sin. Once it has you in its grip, it is difficult to escape. Pornea is easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart and mind. In fact, few escape its ferocious grip outside of a miracle of Grace. You have been warned. Flee pornea.

You guessed it! Pornea is the Greek word for the sins that include pornography, bestiality, sodomy, homosexuality, child sexual abuse, etc. It’s the Greek word from which the English word “porno” comes from. There are many sins which youth face today that were not in existence even ten years ago. Ten years ago, no one imagined the explosion of the internet, or of cell phones, smart phones, tablets, ipads, ipods, etc. With the explosion of technology, come new breeds of sin. We live in a sinful and destructive society, and unless we guard and protect ourselves, we are bound to fall into the grasp of pornea.

However, there is an even deadlier word than pornea (from which comes our English word, “pornography”). It is the word hamartia. Hamartia is the word sin in greek. It means to “miss the mark”, “transgress”, “go beyond the limits and boundaries.” The Bible’s clear teaching on hamartia or sin is that “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We have all missed God’s mark, transgressed his Law, and gone beyond the limits and boundaries that God has marked as being safe. No one is exempt. However, sins (plural) are the result of SIN (capitalized). We commit sins (plural) like fornication, gossip, lying, etc., because of SIN. Sins are the result of having SIN in our life. So what is SIN? Romans 14:23 says, “… for whatever is not from faith is sin.” The real SIN in our life is living a life outside of a faith relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the real SIN in our life. Sins are the result of living in SIN. Get it?

Definitions of Sin in the Bible

If we are honest to the Bible, there are at least three Biblical definitions of “sin” or “hamartia” in the Bible. First, there is Romans 14:23, which says, “… for whatever is not from faith is sin.” This verse tells us that basically anything good that is done outside of a faith relationship in Jesus Christ is sin. Even mowing your neighbors lawn or being nice to elderly people can be sinful acts when they are not grounded in a faith relationship with Jesus. You may just be trying to establish a good reputation for yourself in your neighborhood, or trying to get into the elderly person’s will. A second definition of sin is found in 1 John 3:4, which says, “Sin is lawlessness” or “sin is the transgression of the law” (the breaking of God’s commandments). When we disobey and go beyond the limits and boundaries of God’s Ten Commandments for our life, we sin. A third definition is found in James 4:17: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does it not do it, to him it is sin.” Here again, we find the Bible’s clear teaching on sins of omission. When we fail to do something that is good, moral, and right and we had the opportunity to do it, it is also sin. I like what Pastor Lafitt Cortez from New Jersey, NY says about sin. He says, “there are basically two definitions of sin in the Bible. One is to go beyond the limits and boundaries of God’s laws for our lives. It’s like an archer missing the mark, or a basketball player who has gone out of bounds. The other type of sin is to live in outright rebellion against God. It’s like raising your fist at God and saying I don’t care what you think. I will live my life my way!”

God's Solution to SIN problem

Did you know that God is never caught by surprise or off guard? He is always has a plan in place just in case. In the story of Adam and Eve, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit had a plan of redemption to save the Adam and Eve if they sinned, by disobeying God and choosing to be on Satan’s side instead. The Bible tells us that the promise of salvation from SIN is through the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15. The promise is that though the serpent would strike the seed of the woman, He (Jesus) would crush the serpent (Satan’s) head. At Calvary, Jesus was struck by the serpent on the heal, but delivered a deadly blow to Satan’s head. The plan of redemption was completed. Now, no one needs to fear SIN or sins, nor be under the dominion of sin. Jesus showed us that the answer to the SIN problem is the SON of God. What will you do with Jesus today?

Conclusion

If what we have shared so far is true, what do you think is more important? Trying to give up pornography, smoking, drinking, pre-marital sex (i.e. “sins”), or choosing today to enter into a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, the answer to the real SIN problem (SIN, singular)? You see the real victory over “sins” (plural) in not found in trying to overcome them by focusing on them and giving them your attention. If you do that, you’re as good as dead. “Whatever gets your attention gets you.” If your sins are your focus, you will be a slave to your sins. But if by God’ Grace you make Jesus your focus and you make your faith relationship with Him your number one priority, then Jesus will get you. He’ll take of your “sins” (plural) for you. You just have to willing to trust Him and to give up anything that destroys your relationship with Him. So are you ready to make this kind of commitment today?  Just let Jesus get your attention, and He’ll get you!

Practical Steps

1.           Thank God for Giving you Victory over SIN (singular) by sending Jesus Christ to restore the broken relationship that existed between you and God. John 3:16-17.

2.           Focus on Getting to know Jesus Christ better in your life, and on Growing in your relationship with Jesus. Isaiah 55:6; John 17:3. 1 John 1:2.

3.           Don’t focus on your “sins” (plural). Focus on your relationship with Jesus instead. Be willing to give up any “sins” that are hurting your relationship with Jesus. John 10:10; 1 John 1:9; Philippians 3:8.

4.           Flee from “sins” and “temptations” by focusing on Jesus when you are tempted. Matthew 27:24-54. Visualize the cross of Jesus when you are tempted to sin. His cross has power to save you and keep you from SIN and sins.

5.           Keep memory verses or the lyrics of a Christian song in your heart at all times. When you are tempted to leave Jesus and commit “sins”, recite the memory  verse like psalm 119:11, or the song “Mighty to Save” by Hillsong. Remember that Satan can only tempt you to sin, but the Holy Spirit can give you the victory over sins by focusing on Jesus instead.

       Be blessed!

     ~ Pastor Salvador Garcia

Day 7: Jesus is Our Daily Bread

Day 7: Jesus is Our Daily Bread

Happy Sabbath! I pray that you are being blessed in this spiritual journey and renewal of your relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. While some may object to posting or reading anything online during the sacred Sabbath hours (Isaiah 58:13-14), I believe that God would want us to use all at our disposal, including technology and the internet, on the Sabbath Day in order to share God’s Word (Matthews 24:14). 3ABN and Hope Television use satellite transmission on the Sabbath, so why not us?

I have been blessed in knowing that some of you are taking this New Year’s 30 Day Spiritual Journey as a challenge to “beef” up your spiritual life and increase your spiritual muscles. In the end, that’s what it’s all about. Getting to know Jesus, more intimately and deeply (Phillip. 3:8-11) like the apostle Paul, and remembering the what the Lord says in Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“This is what the LORD says:
   “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
   or the strong boast of their strength
   or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:
   that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
   justice and righteousness on earth,
   for in these I delight,”
            declares the LORD.” (NIV)

I want to know God more deeply and intimately, don’t you? Somewhere in my spiritual journey I read, “Knowing God is the most important pursuit in the world.” I believe that to be as true today as when I first read it almost 15 years ago. Knowing God. Are you ready to know Him better today, during the sacred hours of the Sabbath? If so, then come along!


Manna from Heaven


God never ceases to amaze us in how He providentially provides for the daily needs of all of His creatures, including mankind. He brings up the sun each morning, provides warmth, shade with clouds, oxygen to breath, and food to eat. What a mighty God we serve! In the Old Testament, there is a very special story about how God provided the daily need and daily sustenance of His people, the nation of Israel. It’s found in Exodus 16. After leading them out of Egypt into the wilderness toward the land of Canaan, the Israelites began to complain to Moses and Aaron. We want some meat! We want some Kentucky Fried Quail! So God providentially provided catered meals in the morning and evening for His people: Manna in the morning, and quail in the evening. All they had to do was to step outside their tent and pick it up from the floor. Wow! Notice how Moses, the man of God, records it in Exodus 16:4-5.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.” 

The people where to gather food every day to be eaten on that day, but on the sixth day (or Friday) they were to gather twice as much as normally did (Sunday thru Thursday). Notice Exodus 16:13-15:

“So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground.  So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.  This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’ 

God provided the daily bread or Manna, for his people to eat each morning. In the evening, they got to eat quail, which reminded them of the fleshpots of Egypt they grew accustomed to eating while in Egypt for 400 years. God heard the complaints of his people, and he provided their daily need and sustenance. However, the one prohibition for the gathering of manna was that they were only to gather as much as they could eat Sunday thru Thursday. Those who gathered more for the following day discovered it has rotted and spoiled with worms. On Friday, the sixth day of the week, they were commanded to gather twice as much because on the Sabbath, or seventh day of the week, no manna was to be gathered. The Sabbath, or Seventh-day of the week, was Holy unto God. Notice Exodus 16:17-26:

“Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. And Moses said, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.”  Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.  So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. 


And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Then he said to them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’” So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

Daily Provision of Bread and Manna


God is amazing! For 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites received catered meals each day from God. They ate the bread that God provided for them. The Manna became their “Daily Bread.” They had to find ways to cook it, and probably got creative with it. Manna pancakes, manna sandwiches, manna burgers, manna nuggets, Manna McMuffin, Kentucky Fried Manna, etc. You get the picture. What was important was that they eat it each day and remember that God was the one who was providing their daily food. They gathered it six days, but on the Sabbath, no one was allowed to leave their tent to gather it in the campground, for there was no manna on the Sabbath. This story of the giving of the manna teaches us that before God gave the children of Israel the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which included the Seventh-day Sabbath commandment, the nation of Israel already knew about the Seventh-day Sabbath and had been keeping it for at least 40 years or so.  However, there is a much deeper and greater lesson to learn.


Our Daily Bread and Manna


As wonderful as this story is about God’s amazing provision for his children, if we stop here we miss a great lesson. Jesus Christ Our Lord referred to this story and made an astounding application and interpretation for us. In John 6:32-35, the Beloved Disciple John records the following:    

“ Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:32-35

Notice how Jesus is reinterpreting the story of the giving of Manna in the Old Testament. The Manna is not the true bread of Heaven, but Jesus is! He goes on to make an amazing promise for those who will believe and receive Jesus as the bread of life. In John 13:47-51, Jesus says:

 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.  I am the bread of life.  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” John 13:47-51

What an amazing promise. If we believe in Jesus as the bread of life, we receive eternal life. He invites us to eat of this bread, which is his body (or flesh).

“Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.  For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.  He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.  As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.  This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:53-58

At first, this sounds strange. Eat the flesh of Jesus and drink his blood. However, Jesus was not speaking about literally eating his flesh and blood, but about doing it spiritually. Notice John 6:63:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

So Jesus is not asking us to be vampires or cannibals, but is asking us to eat his body spiritually and to drink his blood spiritually. Jesus will never ask us to do something that is impossible or sinful. (Should I have sex before marriage, should I drink alcohol or take a hit from this joint?) So, what does eating his body spiritually and to drinking his blood spiritually mean for us today? How can we accomplish that task in our daily lives?


Jesus interpretation of the Eating and Drinking His Body and Body


The apostle John records for us that “Jesus is the Word of God (logos) made flesh” in John 1:1-3, 14. Jesus is the audible and spoken Word of God made flesh. Whatever God wanted to tell the world, the Jews, and the New Testament Church,  God did by speaking through Jesus and the writers of the Old and New Testament. God inspired the writers of the Bible through the spirit of Prophecy ( or testimony of Jesus). Today, to eat the body and flesh of Jesus means to read, study, and feed on God’s Word, the Holy Bible. When we read the Bible, it satisfies our spiritual hunger and helps to produce in us more of the character and image of Jesus Christ, “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).  Furthermore, just as natural food gives us sustenance and strength and is converted to energy, so eating the written Word of God will give us true spiritual life. 


What about drinking Jesus’ blood? 


Remembering that blood in the Bible is a reference to life (see Leviticus 17:11), to drink Jesus blood must mean to receive Jesus' life into our heart. How do we do that today? Again, it is only by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that we can receive his life or drink his blood spiritually. You see, unless we have a faith relationship with Jesus we can’t be a Christian at all. We need to eat the body of Jesus (read the Bible each day), and drink the blood of Jesus (receive Jesus life through a daily devotional life with Him) each day. That is the promise of Jesus to us today. 


Conclusion


So going back to story of the giving of the Manna in Exodus 16, we learn that Jesus is telling us that we need to go and gather manna, “Our Daily Bread”, each morning. We must gather it six days of the week (Sunday thru Friday), so that on Sabbath (the seventh-day of the week), we can have food to eat for ourselves and not be hungry. What does this look like today for you and me? I believe Jesus is telling us that in order to have real spiritual life and eternal life, we need to have a daily relationship with Him throughout the whole week. During the first six days of the week, we must daily go and eat bread (read the Bible) in order to have the life of Jesus produced in us, just like natural food in the digestive system produces blood! Then on the Sabbath, when we come together to worship and praise God with others, we will have an experience with God that I can share with others. We won’t just go to church to look for a blessing or to receive a message from God, but we will bring a blessing and already have a message from God that we received during the whole week. The Sabbath will be the icing on the cake, because all week we have been baking our daily bread in the oven of Heaven! So go on, start baking the bread of a true relationship with Jesus as you study His Word and receive His Life into your heart today!


Practical Steps for today


The first step is to Surrender your life today to God in prayer – Matthew 11:28-30. Through prayer, we can be joined with Jesus throughout the entire day.


The second step is to Receive God’s Word (the Body of Jesus, “The Word made Flesh”) into your heart and into your soul today (John 6:53-43).  Jesus is the answer to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:11 that says, “Give us today our daily bread.” Jesus is our daily bread. Eat your daily bread by choosing just one story from the gospels to read, meditate, and pray about that will transmit Jesus’ life to you today.


The third step is to Receive Jesus’ life as your life. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. Acts 16:31. Recognize and accept His perfect life as the only guarantee of making it to Heaven. His life, death, and resurrection are your “ticket to Heaven.” (Colossian 2:13-14)


The fourth step is to Ask God for the baptism of the Holy Spirit – Luke 11:9-13; Mark 1:8. God wants to bless you abundantly today. Ask Him to guide you and fill you with the Holy Spirit.


The fifth and final step is to Go out in peace and enjoy this beautiful Sabbath with you Creator and Friend (Isaiah 56:1-7; John 16:33). Don’t let anyone rob you of the joy of fellowshipping, walking, and enjoying this beautiful gift of God’s presence in your life today. Be blessed! 


~ Pastor Salvador Garcia

Day 6: You were created to be like Christ

Day 6

For some reason, I think many Seventh-day Adventists are afraid of the Roman Catholic Church and of Roman Catholic Jesuit priests. Maybe it’s because of the turbulent history during the dark ages, when the Roman Catholic Church killed between 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 people during the religious oppressive period known as the “Dark Ages.” Maybe it’s because the Seventh-day Adventist Church understands that Bible prophecy teaches that the same antichrist power of the Dark Ages will rule, reign, and persecute religious minorities again in the not to far distant future. I guess that is a cause to be afraid  of or at least cautious about. Therefore, Seventh-day Adventists are always on top of current events that involve the papacy and the pope. We know that Pope Benedict VI (Joseph Ratzinger) was previously the head of the Office of the Inquisition for the papacy! As one write puts it, “Rome never changes.” 

With that said, there are still many of God’s Children who are part of the Roman Catholic Church. I think of one writer named Henry Nouwen. He is a  priest who has written many books about becoming more like Jesus in his simplicity, compassion, and care. Another Catholic writer is Thomas a. Kempis, who is famous for writing, “The Imitation of Christ.” Whether you agree with the overall theology of the Roman Catholic Church, one this is certain. Like these two writers and others, we must become more like Jesus!

God’s purpose for our life

John Stott, the British Theologian, scholar, and pastor raises an important question in his book radical discipleship. He asks, “What is God’s purpose for my life?” He mentions how as a new Christian, he asked himself that question more than 65 year ago when he was sixteen or seventeen. He discovered then, that God’s will was that He should be saved.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

I think we can agree with the Bible and with John Stott that God’s purpose for our life is that we should be saved from a life of sin by accepting Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior. There is no question that God’s will is that every person be saved by entering into a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, but what is God’s will for our life after we are saved  by Jesus?

Many have tried to state in confessions or statements what God’s will for mankind is. Some have said, “To love God and to enjoy him forever” (Westminister Confession), while other have put it  in even fewer words: “Love God, Love neighbor”. What is God’s purpose and will for your life today? What is God’s purpose and will for your life today after you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord?

God’s Purpose and Will for Your Life

At 82 years old John Stott, reflecting on his life and journey in this world, arrives at the following purpose and will of God for each of our lives: To become more like Christ is the goal and purpose of God for His people. Christlikeness, that is the goal God is after in our life. God wants us to become more like Christ. How? With Christ's help and the Holy Spirit's help. Never forget that "With God, all things are possible," and "I can do all things in Christ, you gives me strength."


God's Predistination in Our Life

I would like to suggest to you today, that there are only two things that God has predestined in each of our lives. Predestine means that God has already chosen or willed something to be. However, you and I have a role and decision to make. We cooperate with God in fulfilling His will for our individual life.

The two things are (1) to be saved and live eternally with Him, and (2) to be conformed to image of His Son, or Christlikeness. Look at this final text.

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29

Wow! God not only wants to save us for eternity through living faith in Jesus Christ, but He also wants us to be conformed and become more like Jesus Christ every day of our life. God’s purpose and will for your life is for you to become more like Jesus Christ every day of your life. Amazing! More like Jesus in your talking, more like Jesus in your compassion, more like Jesus in your kindness, more like Jesus in your care of the disenfranchised, more like Jesus in you spiritual maturity and inward life. The good news is that God has given you the Holy Spirit to help you become more like Jesus every day. Why not bow your head right now and thank God for His purpose and will for your life, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you become more like Jesus each day as you study, meditate, and copy the life of Jesus Christ as contained in the Gospels? 

Practical Steps to Becoming More Like Christ

A first step is to turn "your giving on and your gawking off." What does that mean? Simple, if you want to become more like Jesus give more of your time, money, and talents to things that bring glory to God. Give more money to church, missionary projects, donate your time to organizations that help people, etc. Turn your gawking off. Turn your favorite soap opera or video game system off for a month, and go and do something for someone who doesn't know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The second step to becoming more like Christ is to contemplate Jesus more each day. Like Jesus who got up early each morning to speak to His Father, take the best part of your day to meditate and focus on Jesus life and teachings. Resolve to be more like Jesus in everything you do. Ask yourself the question each day WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? Then go and Do likewise!

The third step is to never forget your mission in life. Jesus never forgot his mission. It was "To seek and to save that which was lost." He is the world's Savior and Redeemer. We are the agents of publishing that Good News to the world. Our primary duty in life each day is encapsulated in the call to be fishers of men. "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4). Our mission consists in being with Jesus and in following Him. Our mission is not just to make new disciples and to fish for men, but it also consists in spending time with Jesus, emulating Him, contemplating his every act and foot step, and then going out and living that way in the world!

Conclusion

Are you afraid? Are you anxious? Don't be! God has it all under control (Philippians 4:4-6; Ephesians 3:20).You can be more like Jesus today! In your talking, thinking, and doing. Step out in radical faith today, and allow God to transform you into the image of His Son!

~ Pastor Salvador Garcia

Day 5: Time to Revive

Day 5: Time to Revive

Thought of the Day: God, who specializes in reviving those who are either spiritually dead or asleep, desires to revive you spiritually today. There is no person alive today who is beyond the reach of God's reviving Holy Spirit.


Bible texts: Revelation 3:14-22; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 8:5-13; Acts 16:31; John 16:8; Matthew 7:7


Goal for the day: To experience a spiritual revival in your life today.

Here we go again! How has your experience been so far? Invigorating? Thrilling? Lackluster? Mundane? Have you felt closer to Jesus so far in this spiritual journey, or have you felt like His Presence is absent from your times of worship? Whether you have felt God’s presence near or far up to this point, today God wants to remind you that He has a spiritual breakthrough in store for you. However, it is only available for those who come to the Giver of Life, and ask freely. Are you ready to ask?

Revivals

Recently, I was jarred and awakened by the Bible’s clear teachings about how all people who are alive today on planet earth are either dead or alive spiritually (Revelation 3:19-21). In God’s sight, without a faith relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are dead spiritually. Because of sin, a dangerous poison that is more to be feared than cancer or AIDS, mankind is separated from a faith relationship with God. According to the Bible, only faith in Jesus Christ can resurrect us from our spiritual death and make us alive in alive spiritually (Romans 8:5). Until we enter into a saving faith relationship with Jesus Christ, we are spiritually dead and interested in the things the world offers, instead of being spiritually alive and interested in the things Heaven offers(Romans 8:12). As long as a person in spiritually dead, that person is also spiritually lost (Romans 8:13). The antidote and cure is to be revived in Jesus! (John 14:6)

There is a second type of revival of which the Bible talks about. This revival has to do with God’s promise of a mighty outpouring of spiritual power that will come upon every earnest believer in God, through the presence of the Holy Spirit (Revelation 18:1; Joel 2:28). According to the parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25, we learned that at one point in the waiting and tarrying time for the Second Coming of Christ, the Church of God is completely asleep. All church members and Christians are asleep. Therefore, God must send the promised Holy Spirit to bring power and revival to God’s sleeping saints and church. That time is now. You see, when we enjoy the things of this of this world more than the things of God, we need a revival. When we enjoy the commodities of this world and the luxuries of this life, more than the personal sacrifices that lead to unexpected blessings, we need a revival. When we enjoy spending our time on entertainment and temporal things, instead of heavenly and spiritual things, we need a revival. Today, we need a revival! Hands down!

Which type of revival do you need today?

So which revival do you need today? Do you need to be resurrected from spiritual death by entering into a faith relationship with Jesus Christ? Or do you need to be revived with spiritual power, because like the ten virgins in the parable, who have fallen asleep and lost the passion and enthusiasm of waiting for the Second Coming of Christ? Whichever one you need, the Good News is that Jesus Christ is ready to revive you today. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Jesus wants to revive you today. He wants to revive you to a new spiritual life. He wants to revive you to experience new spiritual power. He wants to revive you to grow more each day to be more like Jesus. It’s your for the asking. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”(Matthew 7:7).

Practical Steps

The first step today is to make sure you have entered into a faith relationship with Jesus. You can’t be revived with spiritual power if you are spiritually dead. You first need to be revived by the Holy Spirit to salvation and eternal life. (Ephesians 2:1-10). Have faith in Jesus today as your Savior and Lord. (Acts 16:31).

The second step is to read and meditate on those texts that talk about revival. Some of those texts are Revelation 3:14-22, Acts 2:14-21, and 2 Chronicles 7:14. Pray and meditate on those texts asking the Holy Spirit to help you experience spiritual revival in your life.

The third step is to become more aware of those areas in your life where the Holy Spirit is leading you to surrender and give up any secret sins in your life. “ When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). Repent of any known sins in you life today!

Conclusion

It’s time for a Revival today! A Revival from being spiritually dead! A revival of spiritual power for those who love Jesus! It’s yours for the asking. Won’t you ask God for it today?

~ Pastor Salvador Garcia

 

Day 4: Unlimited Power & Blessings just for the Asking

Day 4: It's all about Seeking God Each Day


It's Day 4, and I hope you are experiencing a renewal and a greater love for Jesus so far. I really believe that God wants to bless you abundantly. Today's Devotional is simple. Seek God every morning and every day of your life to discover His plans for your life. Notice how God encourages us to seek Him and to make this our main task each day:


" You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)


 Why does God want us to seek Him with our whole heart? Simple, so that we may find Him. Imagine? God's presence in your life. Amazing! If God's presence weren't enough, God also promises something extra. He tells us in verse 11-12:


" For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."


Since God know that His plans for our life are better than our plans (God usually knows what will ultimately make us happy and content, better than we do), He invites us to pray. Notice verse 13:


"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."


It's pretty easy. God has plans of prosperity and blessing for our life, but in order for us to have those plans fulfilled in our life, we must go to Him in prayer, and seek His Presence more than life itself. It must not be a superficial seeking, but a wholehearted seeking after God's presence, plans, and blessings.


One of my favorite Christian writers puts it this way:


"Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, "Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee." This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ." (Steps to Christ, p. 70). 


So there it is. How important that we seek God every morning. It's hard sometimes, with the pressing demands of work and family, but this is in fact our most important duty and task each day. Without God's blessing and presence, we just go on our own each day trying to accomplish our own goals, dreams, and aspirations. While those may be good ones, God's plans for us each day are even greater. 


The apostle Paul writes, 
 

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"


God's blessings in your life are unlimited. Along with salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, God promises to give us everything we need. We just need to ask God for those blessings in prayer. He will answer many of our petitions only in response to prayer. Notice this amazing statement by a Christian writer.

"It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask." (Great Controversy, 525).

So there you have it. There are somethings God will give us only in answer to prayer. When we pray, we give God permission to move in our life and in the life of others in a way that He could not before, because of His great respect for human free will! So pray, pray, and pray more because through prayer God can do the impossible!

ACTS 

So how about it. Why not take the next 20 minutes and seek God in Bible study and prayer. If you need something to help you structure your prayers, how about using the acronym ACTS. It stands for the following:


A - Adoracion
C - Confession 
T - Thanksgiving
S - Supplication


Spend some time praying and reflecting on what God desires to tell you in the Bible, and see what a difference it will make in your day today! You will have a renewal of God's presence in your life to help you overcome whatever you encounter today! Be blessed in Jesus!


~ Pastor Salvador Garcia

Mark: The shortest and more dramatic Gospel Story of Jesus

The Gospel of Mark

The shortest of the four Gospels, Mark is a rapid pace story of the miracles of Jesus. It presents Jesus as "a man of action." In the Gospel of mark, the word "immediately" appears sixteen times. According to Mark, Jesus is always doing something. That's important, because as we will see, the ending of Mark presents the reader with a very important decision to make: Whether to believe in Jesus and spread His Message, or disbelieve in Jesus and His Message. What will your decision be?

High points in the Gospel or Mark

Just sixteen chapters in length, the Gospel of Mark has two "high points" that capture the essence and message of the Book. The first is in Mark 8:27-30.

"²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
 ²⁸ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
   ²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
   Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
 ³⁰ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him."

In this passage, we find the Great Confession of Peter about Jesus as the Messiah and Christ. It is the first high point in the Gospel of Mark.

The Second High Point in the Gospel of Mark is found in Mark 15:33-38.

"³³ At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. ³⁴ And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
 ³⁵ When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
 ³⁶ Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
 ³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
 ³⁸ The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” 

Here we find again a confession on the part of the Roman soldier and centurion testifying that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, and not just an ordinary man. An ordinary man could not have done all of the miracles that Jesus did. He was more than just a good man, He was the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God!

Ending of Mark


Most Bibles have Mark ending at Mark 16:20, although most add a comment like "The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20." The reason is that most Bible Scholars believe that the ending of Mark was added by a copyist or scribe as a way to soften the ending of Mark. Notice verses 1-8 of Mark 16.


" ¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
 ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
 ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
 ⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."

That isn't the way most people would want to finish the ending of a sermon or the ending of a book or biography. Just imagine, women being afraid and fleeing from Jesus tomb. The New Testament manuscript evidence suggests that verses 9-20 were probably added later by a scribe or copyist. Notice verses 9-20.

"When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. ¹¹ When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
   ¹² Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. ¹³ These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
   ¹⁴ Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
   ¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
   ¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. ²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."

This is a smoother ending, and ends on a positive note instead of a negative note. Whether the original ending of Mark was at verse 8 or 20 is important, although most of what 9-20 includes can be found elsewhere in the Gospels or in the New Testament. However, a more important question for you and I is, "if the Gospel of Mark originally ended at Mark 16:8 with the women fleeing Jesus' tomb and being afraid, and without a concrete ending to the appearance and announcement of Jesus resurrection", could it be that the reason it ends that way is because Mark expects us to make a similar decision in our life and spiritual journey? 

What will you do with the message that Jesus was crucified, risen, and will appear to His followers just as He promised? Will you be afraid and keep the matter to yourself? Or, will you believe it and proclaim it to others that "Jesus was crucified, risen, and is coming again"? 

The choice is yours! 

~ Pastor Salvador Garcia 

Day 3: Keep Awake and Be Ready!

Introduction

After having looked at the "Sign of Jesus' Coming" in Matthew 24:1-14, we now look at the first of three parables that are about "being ready" for the coming of Jesus. It's great to know the signs in the political, social, natural, religious world, and the (singular) "Sign of Jesus Coming", the preaching of the everlasting Gospel as a witness to all nations (24:14).  However, what good is it to know the signs and the SIGN, if we miss out on being ready and prepared to go with Jesus when He returns again?

The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

The first of the three parables of Jesus about "being ready" for the Second Coming of Christ, the Parable of the Ten Virgins is a somber reminder and a wake up call to experience true conversion, to make a complete surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior, and to daily grow in your relationship with Jesus. It's a simple story, but more profound and deep than at first sight meets the eyes. Ten Virgins, or Ten young maidens, who were part of a bridal party that awaited and expected the Bridegroom to arrive for the Promised wedding. Let's look at the parable as told by Jesus Our Lord.

"“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep."

Jesus is telling us that this is a parable that represents the condition of the church in the world just before He returns the Second Time. In prophecy, a woman represents a church, and the number ten in Scripture, also represents the church and God's people. In the Old Testament, we have the Ten tribes of Israel, and in the days of Jesus, Ten was the smallest number of men that could establish a synogogue in Judaism. Ten, then, represents the Church, and these ten virgins represent the spiritual condition of the Christian church and all Christians just prior to Jesus Second Coming.  Five are designated as foolish, and five as wise, but why were the wise wise, and why were the foolish foolish? In the parable, all ten virgins "become drowsy and fall asleep" (v. 5), so that isn't what differentiates the wise from the foolish. The difference seems to be in the phrase, "The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps" (v.3-4). As was the custom in participating in Jewish weddings at the time of Jesus, all bridesmaids (or virgins) would take a lamp filled with oil to last them while they tarried and waited for the bridegroom to arrive. All ten virgins had a lamp with oil, but only five brought extra oil along with the oil in their lamps. Oil, what does that represent in the Bible?
In the Old Testament, oil was present in the earthly sanctuary and represented the consecration and holiness of the earthly sanctuary. It was poured over Aaron and his sons, when they were dedicated to serve in the temple. According to Zechariah 4:1-14, the oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. While there appears to be no difference for some time between the foolish and wise virgins, the "apparent delay" of the Bridegroom reveals that some are "destitute of the Holy Spirit" and have not been truly converted. While they profess to believe in Jesus and Love His Church, their actions, desires, and intentions reveal that they love the world more than they love the Lord. One of my favorite writers puts it this way: 

"The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith ... In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan" (Christ Object Lessons, 406-411).


What makes the difference? How can we be ready for the Second Coming of Jesus today? 

 Conclusion

It is by growing daily in our relationship with Jesus Christ that we maintain ourselves connected to God. It is through the person of the Holy Spirit that we are able to surrender ourselves more fully to Jesus. There exists today, a great disassociation and misunderstanding about the nature and person of the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that He is a person, not a force or power, and that He desires to live in us and lead us into a greater experience with Christ. So what steps can we take today to make sure we are not part of the foolish virgins, but instead part of the wise ones?

Steps to becoming a Wise Virgin

The first step is to surrender yourself completely to Jesus Christ. Invite Jesus into your heart and into our life. Pray this simple prayer. "Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I can not save myself. Please forgive all of my sins, and come into my heart and into my life. Amen."

The second step is stop pretending and start experiencing a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's not enough to go to church on the right day of the week, believe in your mind the right doctrines, be a member of a church, if you don't walk with Jesus every day. That is called being a nominal Christian, and hell will be full of nominal Christians. Be a real Christian. Live what you believe, and trust Jesus more every day of your life.

The third step is to start asking God to grant you a greater measure of the Holy Spirit so that your life can be transformed completely in Christ. The Holy Spirit will help make Jesus the Lord of your life, and He will give you victory over Sin and sins in your life. Sin will no longer have dominion in your life, but instead Jesus Christ and him crucified will be the most important thing in your life (1 Corinthians 2:1). As John Stott, the English preacher says in his book Radical Disicpleship, "To become like Christ is God's plan for His Church." God wants you to be more like Jesus today. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you more like Christ. More love, more humility, more service unto others.

The fourth and final step is to keep your spiritual sword and intellect sharp. You can't battle the enemy while filling your mind with trash in the form of inappropriate movies, music, and literature while neglecting to keep your Spiritual Sword Sharp, your knowledge of God's Word. Read the Bible every day. Start with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, and read it believing that God has a message for you today.

So are you ready to become a wise virgin today? God is! He's waiting for you. Just ask Him.

~ Pastor Salvador Garcia